First of all, I'm in the wrong age category so they wouldn't take me right now, second, if the draft was in place - I'd definitely go wherever. Third - who the hell are you to suggest where I should or shouldn't move.

And finally, since your English is failing your brain, or at least you misunderstood the intended meaning - I'll explain it to you... try to read it slowly so you can comprehend the meaning.

After going through a nightmare myself in dealing with HOA and reading a number of horror stories from other people - I was simply implying that this woman can easily get sued for this, by the HOA, since they have strict rules about flags and such and the courts are overwhelmingly on the ...

First of all, I'm in the wrong age category so they wouldn't take me right now, second, if the draft was in place - I'd definitely go wherever. Third - who the hell are you to suggest where I should or shouldn't move.

And finally, since your English is failing your brain, or at least you misunderstood the intended meaning - I'll explain it to you... try to read it slowly so you can comprehend the meaning.

After going through a nightmare myself in dealing with HOA and reading a number of horror stories from other people - I was simply implying that this woman can easily get sued for this, by the HOA, since they have strict rules about flags and such and the courts are overwhelmingly on the side of the HOAs, not the tenants. So, the move statement was about changing apartments, not countries of residence.

That explained, I definitely think that this woman is totally wrong in dissing her own country like this. Flag is a symbol, but an important symbol and citizens of a country should respect the country and the flag. You don't like the politicians in charge - vote for others, you certainly have the ability. But don't go dissing the flag, which so many have suffered and sacrificed so much to have. Moving off topic here, but since you did, I might as well...

I remodeled the place a little, per recommendations of my Real Estate agent, to make it more sellable. Part of the process involved replacing horrid, 20-yr old windows. Unfortunately they don't make that kind any longer, so the new ones looked a little different. That when I got a letter from the HOA lawyer threatening unless I put everything back within 2 weeks. The problem was - the old stuff couldn't be put back and there was no way to get exact replacement.

It was my mistake for not getting HOA approval prior to replacing windows, but it was a dinky HOA (11 units), almost nobody was interested in doing anything HOA-related and the few that ever asked to do anything were always given ...

I remodeled the place a little, per recommendations of my Real Estate agent, to make it more sellable. Part of the process involved replacing horrid, 20-yr old windows. Unfortunately they don't make that kind any longer, so the new ones looked a little different. That when I got a letter from the HOA lawyer threatening unless I put everything back within 2 weeks. The problem was - the old stuff couldn't be put back and there was no way to get exact replacement.

It was my mistake for not getting HOA approval prior to replacing windows, but it was a dinky HOA (11 units), almost nobody was interested in doing anything HOA-related and the few that ever asked to do anything were always given a green light, even though in theory they could've been turned down. I was the president of the HOA for a few years etc. and I just couldn't believe these people would turn on me like this. But, as I said, it was my mistake of not asking for permission before doing it.

So, I don't know how POed they were, but I certainly was getting so by the minute, especially considering that it was one jerk that was causing the whole commotion, the same one that put special tubing outside the building to water his flowers automatically (without getting permission first) and had a ton of trees/bushes/whatever on his balcony. The irony was that his beef with my stuff was that the outside look was changed (the windows trim was white, the others weren't).

So, I decided that I will play hard ball with them, since they didn't want to listen to reason. I went around, took photos of every external violation that was there (and I had 5-6, with 3 just in his unit). Then I had a come-to-Jesus meeting with them and laid the story on the table, or those photos to be more accurate and did a Clint Eastwood on them... you want to sue me? I'll sue you back, since you're clearly discriminating against me for whatever reason, considering you're not doing the same for everyone else.

They became a lot more quiet all of a sudden. As I said, mostly the problem was this one guy, everyone else was kind of going along with the flow, although all of them wanted to jump to my side at first opportunity.

Since I did make the changes without permissions and I did want to get things done right - I told them that I'll spend the money to repaint the trim so it'll look very similar to the old windows and unless one really takes a close look - they couldn't even tell the difference. They immediately agreed to my proposal and that's how the thing got settled.

You asked - so there you go.

And again, for the record - George Bush isn't my hero, although he is my current President, ...

They became a lot more quiet all of a sudden. As I said, mostly the problem was this one guy, everyone else was kind of going along with the flow, although all of them wanted to jump to my side at first opportunity.

Since I did make the changes without permissions and I did want to get things done right - I told them that I'll spend the money to repaint the trim so it'll look very similar to the old windows and unless one really takes a close look - they couldn't even tell the difference. They immediately agreed to my proposal and that's how the thing got settled.

You asked - so there you go.

And again, for the record - George Bush isn't my hero, although he is my current President, just as Clinton was before him and his father and Reagan were before him. From all of them Reagan was the only 'hero', if you want to call him so, on my list and that was for one simple reason - he was very anti-Soviet, which at the time was all I cared about.

Recordsage;
You want to know who I am? I am a disabled Vietnam veteran. I fought for this country and almost died for it.
And I know many 19 year old kids who died in that war. And they didn't die so that freedom of speech or the ability to think for one self could be banned by a bunch of Nazis. You want to know who I am? Then go here.
http://www.veteransforamerica.org/
My name is Duane Stolldorf. I don't think you will tell me who you are. Because you are a coward. And I am sick of you chickenhawks waving your flag and telling others to fight for you. All you do is say I would love to go but I'm too old. Age limit for military is 42. You can go any age or fitness if you join the cons...

Recordsage;
You want to know who I am? I am a disabled Vietnam veteran. I fought for this country and almost died for it.
And I know many 19 year old kids who died in that war. And they didn't die so that freedom of speech or the ability to think for one self could be banned by a bunch of Nazis. You want to know who I am? Then go here.
http://www.veteransforamerica.org/
My name is Duane Stolldorf. I don't think you will tell me who you are. Because you are a coward. And I am sick of you chickenhawks waving your flag and telling others to fight for you. All you do is say I would love to go but I'm too old. Age limit for military is 42. You can go any age or fitness if you join the construction companies. Now whats your excuse?
Too sick? You have a wife and kids? How many troops have wives and kids. And how many of them get sick at what they are seeing in Iraq?

I want to bring the troops home because they need to fight the real enemy. Cowards and chickenhawks like you who support the segregation of our nation into rich and poor. The religious right who preach hate and intolerance. This is not America. This is Nazi Germany 1939. And if we don't do something to stop these fascists. We will fall just like Germany.

Well Duane, I certainly don't have you credentials when it comes to military, but respectfully, I'll have to disagree with some of your comments.

I have no problems answering ANY of your questions regarding who I am. Ask and I'll answer. I'm 45 (almost), i.e. not in the appropriate age group, as I've indicated. And without a question, if US is attacked and every man is called to defend it - I'll have zero problems with joining that effort. US has been exceptionally good to me, despite all kinds of problems with family and life in general. That's something I'll always cherish. The hellhole that my parents yanked me from, formerly known as USSR, did nothing of the kind.

I'm not rich an...

Well Duane, I certainly don't have you credentials when it comes to military, but respectfully, I'll have to disagree with some of your comments.

I have no problems answering ANY of your questions regarding who I am. Ask and I'll answer. I'm 45 (almost), i.e. not in the appropriate age group, as I've indicated. And without a question, if US is attacked and every man is called to defend it - I'll have zero problems with joining that effort. US has been exceptionally good to me, despite all kinds of problems with family and life in general. That's something I'll always cherish. The hellhole that my parents yanked me from, formerly known as USSR, did nothing of the kind.

I'm not rich and I'm not religious, but I'm staunchly pro-US, despite all of its problems and difficulties. It's still the best country in the world, AFAIC.

I can't argue with you about seeing the troops come home, and since we're not fighting this war the way wars are fought - at this point I do feel that we should change the game plan to eliminate our troops being in harms way, although simply pulling out of Iraq and leaving it to al qaeda isn't a good solution in my view. I do very much want to see the troops home with their families... but one needs to consider the consequences of such action. Nobody in their right mind would want his/her own countrymen/women to die... the problem is that this isn't as simple as just either pulling out or not.

I do have a lot of respect for men like you, strictly because of your service & sacrifices to the country (I don't know anything else about you or any other vets) and have a very hard time even mentioning any disagreements and as tough as things get financially (I'm the only money-making entity in the house of 4) - the Veteran's organizations always know that they can count on my donations every time they call. I realize that's not the same level of contribution as you have made, but at this point that's the best I can do.

Recordsage;
You said you came from a terrible country, the USSR.
Can you not see what is happening here is almost the same thing that happened in your country? If we are to keep this country free. And not held hostage by the rich and over powering. We need those little people with three earrings in their ear. To stand up to any ti rent who has more money then them. This country is still for the people and by the people. Bush and his crew have tried to change that from the day he stole the vote from the people. They even want to change the constitution. What we are seeing now is the beginning of the end to our democracy.

When I got out of the Marines in 1969. I joined those hippies to protes...

Recordsage;
You said you came from a terrible country, the USSR.
Can you not see what is happening here is almost the same thing that happened in your country? If we are to keep this country free. And not held hostage by the rich and over powering. We need those little people with three earrings in their ear. To stand up to any ti rent who has more money then them. This country is still for the people and by the people. Bush and his crew have tried to change that from the day he stole the vote from the people. They even want to change the constitution. What we are seeing now is the beginning of the end to our democracy.

When I got out of the Marines in 1969. I joined those hippies to protest the war. Because I saw with my own eyes the lies that this country was telling people. And it wasn't the country making these statements. It was little men in power. And just like now, they were the ones making money from that war. I believe they said God was on our side to. I think God would be a little tired of always taking the blame for what little people do in his name.

So when you see people rally for the cause of freedom. And not just this country. But in Chili, In Tiananmen Square, Even Mexico got it together last year. Don`t think there criminals. They may be the only ones who are sane. Because I definatly know the ones who are in office now , are criminally insane.

I thank you for supporting the troops. But I have to wonder. Why is it that you who do not make a lot of money. Give that support. When this regime has turned its back on the returning wounded. And then tell them to fight even longer with no hope of getting out.
That isn't freedom.

Duane, again I have to differ with you a bit, even though you certainly have an understanding of your own country, the fact that you compare it to USSR shows me just how little you know about that country. From someone who's lived enough in both (twice as long in US as in USSR, but certainly clearly recall what it was like) - there's NO comparison between the US and USSR at any point in time. Let's just definitely keep that in mind.

As for your other comments, even though I somewhat agree with you about politicians running the show - we elect these people. As much as you want to believe that the election was stolen, I don't share your view. It was close certainly but the system through...

Duane, again I have to differ with you a bit, even though you certainly have an understanding of your own country, the fact that you compare it to USSR shows me just how little you know about that country. From someone who's lived enough in both (twice as long in US as in USSR, but certainly clearly recall what it was like) - there's NO comparison between the US and USSR at any point in time. Let's just definitely keep that in mind.

As for your other comments, even though I somewhat agree with you about politicians running the show - we elect these people. As much as you want to believe that the election was stolen, I don't share your view. It was close certainly but the system through courts etc. determined who the winner was. If there was overwhelming vote for one candidate or another - we wouldn't have the situation we had. In the end George Bush took over... very similar to our state Governor C. Gregoire, who lost, then had 2 automatic recounts where she also lost and then somehow managing to win by 129 votes on a manual recount. Was that fair? I don't believe it was, but the final court decision was that she gets to wear the crown and so she's our governor... end of story... at least until the next election. Same with the President. It's strange to me how people write about all these terrible things that he supposedly will do to the country, when the man will be out of the office in a year, makes no sense. I don't agree with a number of his policies, however I'm not about to spit on the flag that has your blood on it. That would be totally disrespectful to you, and would do nothing to change any of the current Administration policies. Such a move shown to the outside world though, would certainly have the wrong people cheering and after seeing the palestinians dance on their filthy streets after 9/11 - I've seen more than enough and don't want to see that again.

You have to remember - we're not just talking about the hippies movement against the establishment or fighting the commies in the foreign land with questionable reasons and lack of success as it was in 1969. 9/11 did occur and as much rosie wants to rant with her cool accent the physics of steel melting - anyone rational would understand that we were attacked and 3000+ of our fellow citizens were murdered in cold blood.

It's nice to engage in personal politics etc., but when you have a threat as the US currently has - these politics are nothing but petty waste of time. People talk about policies, economy, etc. All of this pales to oblivion if someone manages to blow up a dirty bomb somew...

You have to remember - we're not just talking about the hippies movement against the establishment or fighting the commies in the foreign land with questionable reasons and lack of success as it was in 1969. 9/11 did occur and as much rosie wants to rant with her cool accent the physics of steel melting - anyone rational would understand that we were attacked and 3000+ of our fellow citizens were murdered in cold blood.

It's nice to engage in personal politics etc., but when you have a threat as the US currently has - these politics are nothing but petty waste of time. People talk about policies, economy, etc. All of this pales to oblivion if someone manages to blow up a dirty bomb somewhere near Clipmarks HQ, which I had distinct privilege of visiting and would most certainly hate to see happen.

I hope you and I are on the same page when it comes to defending the country. It's our country and nobody has the right to screw with it. We can have our differences, that's not unlike having family squabbles, but when outsiders threaten our doors - it's time to put the squabbles aside and defend this great country.

As for your question about me giving support to the Troops and the Veterans... I do it because they are my fellow Americans and they are in a harms way in a major way and if there's something I can do to help them - I do. My uncle went to fight in WW2 when he was 17, was wounded twice, barely made it home alive, other relatives were killed or endured multiple trips to concentration camps etc.. My Grandpa wasn't so lucky and was killed during the war, leaving my Grandma to raise 2 more little kids in very difficult environment. Ever since I was little - I had a lot of respect for people like that... especially listening to people who've fought in wars, including you. We may be on different political ends, but my respect for the sacrifices you've endured and others will always be admired, appreciated and commended by me.

@RecordSage Flying the flag upside down is one of the accpeted ways of displaying the flag ..... under certain conditions........ whether those conditions exist currently are up to debate.

However, if you are really driven, truly devoted to making sure people are respecting the flag then you have much work to do as the flag is never to be used: in advertising, on clothing, or signed (as Bush did in 2003), or placed as an image on carpet to be stood on by the president (as he did on Sept 11, 2006), never carried out flat or horizontally as they do at some football games, no flag is to be on any athletic uniform,.....etc.

I believe her use of it is more appropriate than the many hundreds ...

@RecordSage Flying the flag upside down is one of the accpeted ways of displaying the flag ..... under certain conditions........ whether those conditions exist currently are up to debate.

However, if you are really driven, truly devoted to making sure people are respecting the flag then you have much work to do as the flag is never to be used: in advertising, on clothing, or signed (as Bush did in 2003), or placed as an image on carpet to be stood on by the president (as he did on Sept 11, 2006), never carried out flat or horizontally as they do at some football games, no flag is to be on any athletic uniform,.....etc.

I believe her use of it is more appropriate than the many hundreds of disrespectful displays we see every single day.

Furthermore, There is now a law protecting your right to fly the US flag (and it doesn't specify which way).

A condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association may not adopt or enforce any policy, or enter into any agreement, that would restrict or prevent a member of the association from displaying the flag of the United States on residential property within the association with respect to which such member has a separate ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or use. Read HR42.

So you who came to this country, and took all of its benefits. And not once even thought of serving in its military. Because I know you were of age in Dessert storm. You even said you were a young child when you left Russia. You had more then ample time to serve your country. I guess you were too good to do such a lowly job.

So you say I am wrong. I guess I was wrong. Wrong to fight in Vietnam for the wrong reason. Just like the soldiers fighting in Iraq , who have seen the ugliness of war. And know to, that they are fighting for criminals, who care nothing about the constitution. Or the freedom of the people. They don't even care for the crippled soldier back from Iraq. Who will lose his h...

So you who came to this country, and took all of its benefits. And not once even thought of serving in its military. Because I know you were of age in Dessert storm. You even said you were a young child when you left Russia. You had more then ample time to serve your country. I guess you were too good to do such a lowly job.

So you say I am wrong. I guess I was wrong. Wrong to fight in Vietnam for the wrong reason. Just like the soldiers fighting in Iraq , who have seen the ugliness of war. And know to, that they are fighting for criminals, who care nothing about the constitution. Or the freedom of the people. They don't even care for the crippled soldier back from Iraq. Who will lose his home because no one will hire him. And the Government will turn its back on him.

But you never had to worry about that. You took the benefits, and let some home grown sucker serve in the military. You remind me of the chickenhawks You tube has shown. They have plenty of wave the flag rhetoric. But nothing but excuses when asked why you don't fight for your country.

So next time you see a real soldier, who stands up and says We shouldn't be in Iraq. You go up to him and tell him hes wrong and unpatriotic. If hes a Marine, He will just rip a piece of your body off of you. Because thats what we were trained to do.

And the old lady you think is wrong. How do you know if she lost a husband or a son in Vietnam. She may have lost another son to Desert storm. And she may be loosing another in this war. Maybe shes damn sick and tired of loosing everything. When pathetic non coms waving the flag, and thinking war is for glory, sit on their ass back home and cheer from the safety of their easy chair.
And that describes you to a T.

How can the sacrifice of so many lives be belittled by the worship of a piece of cloth ? People who are prepared to fight injustice are not doing it for the sake of some artificial insignia, They are doing it for the sake of those they know and love. When someone wears a standard in battle, they expect it to be used as a means of identification. If we burn a name tag, does that change who we are ? Someone with no respect for what the Flag can represent, can seem harmless, there is worry about the people that agree with them. There's no sense in letting 'dissent' get out of hand, it would disturb the 'Status Quo'. The value of a lot of protest can be the way it can get people talking and Thi...

How can the sacrifice of so many lives be belittled by the worship of a piece of cloth ? People who are prepared to fight injustice are not doing it for the sake of some artificial insignia, They are doing it for the sake of those they know and love. When someone wears a standard in battle, they expect it to be used as a means of identification. If we burn a name tag, does that change who we are ? Someone with no respect for what the Flag can represent, can seem harmless, there is worry about the people that agree with them. There's no sense in letting 'dissent' get out of hand, it would disturb the 'Status Quo'. The value of a lot of protest can be the way it can get people talking and Thinking. What, and who do I believe. The President has a lot of respect for the flag. The people?
If you get an outcry, the protest is working.